Brad's Early IM Gains

For those who don't know me, I am doing IM because my son, Brad, found so much success with the IM program. Recently I pulled out old notes about my son's IM training in 2002. If you are interested in what I saw back then, here's the document.

Executive Functioning - the skills IM seems to impact greatly.

Here are 3 core executive functioning (EF) skills impacted by IM that Dr. Adele Diamond discusses in her presentation. 

1 Inhibitory control (self control)

2.Working Memory -(attention)

3.Cognitive Flexibility -(awareness of other perspectives, shifting gears)

Adele Diamond, from the University of British Columbia, was UC Davis MIND Institutes most recent lecturer talking about Cognitive Control in the Younger Child. If you are an educator or have preschool children at home the 6 pm lecture is a must see.

What do you do at assessment?

What do you do at the assessment? 

Assessment for the older child is usually done in the group, for the child under 10, individually.

Advanced tasks of IM -what comes after 15 sessions

Lori, Could you give us some examples of how working on these skills will benefit our son.

This is a great question from a mom who's son has completed basic IM training. Many children and even adults go on to do more IM. What does that look like and what do they gain?

Neural Synchrony and Selective Attention

Neurons that fire in synchrony, have a greater impact on neuroplasticity (learning) than those neurons firing alone. This technical lecture about Neural Synchrony and Selective Attention tells us that by aligning the firing of neurons up in time, you get a big bang for your buck in terms of efficient processing in the brain.

Why Time Matters

When you learn new facts, interact with colleagues and teachers, experiment with new gadgets, or engage in countless other learning activities, timing plays a role in the functioning of your neurons, in the communication between and within sensory systems, and in the interactions between different regions of your brain. The success or failure of attempts to communicate using gestures, expressions and verbal language also depend on timing.

In short, timing is critical for learning at every level, from learning the precise temporal patterns of speech sounds, to learning appropriate sequences of movements, to optimal training and instructional schedules for learning, to interpreting the streams of social signals that reinforce learning in the classroom. These are the opening words to the NSF Science of Learning website, Why Time Matters. Check out the whole article here.

Temporal Information processing (timing) is an index of intelligence research

Rammsayer and Brandler publish a more in depth research paper about how timing (temporal processing) is related to intelligence.

Intelligence And Rhythmic Accuracy Go Hand In Hand

"People who score high on intelligence tests are also good at keeping time" This is the opening statement of a recent article in Science Daily.  Read more of this very IM supportive article here.  IM has long been proven to be helpful for neuro-development issues such as ADD and LD. But more and more research is showing that IM is good for the neuro-typical population too. Just like vitamins and exercise, IM helps just about everyone reach their fullest potential! 

How autistic are you?

 Check out your autistic quotient here. Not IM but a good resource.

Rhythmic Activity for Educators

Here's a great little activity for the classroom about metacognition. It uses alot of RHYTHMIC MOVEMENT, a good supportive activity for any classroom.  Be creative, make some more!